Trace connection.



l lllllllll-lllllll 1 PATENTBD SEPT. 1l, 1906.

J. T. BRESSLER.

TRACE CONNECTION.

APPLIoATIoN FILED Amm, 1905.

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UNITED STATES P rnnr Prion.

TRACE CONNECTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1906.

Application filed April 3,1905. Serial No. 253,554.

production of a reinforcing-plate for the,

trace adapted to be connected with the latter adjacent the .slot thereof and constructed to secure the trace to the swingletree against accidental disengagement.

Another object of the invention is to construct the reinforcing-plate to receive the en.

tire strain, whereby the life ofthe traceis materially increased and all liability of the traceslot pulling out avoided.

The invention will be described in detail in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-e Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of the swingletree, showing a trace having my improved reinforcing-plate in position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section ofthe same, the swingletree and retaining bolt being shown in elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the rear end of a trace, illustrating the application of my improved reinforcing-plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of my improved reinforcinglate.

p Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference-numerals indicate like parts throughout the several. views, 1 represents the ordinary trace adapted for the cooperation with the usual swingletree 2. Each end of the swingletree is provided with a retaining-bolt having a shank 3 of greater transverse length than thickness, the opposite edges of the shank being concaved, as at 4. The free end of the shank is provided with a head 5, comprising an elliptical plate-like member secured near its lower edge to the end of the shank and extending thereabove about at right angles. The trace 1 is provided With the usual slotted opening 6, arranged to receive the bolt-shank 3.

7 represents a reinforcing-plate, preferably coextensive in width with the width of the trace and having endwise-projecting ears S, through which bolts or rivetsQ are arranged to pass to secure the plate to the trace. The plate is arranged contiguous the trace-slot 6 and is formed with a slot 10 to register with the trace-slot 6. The forward portion of this slot is enlarged, as at 11, while the rear narrowed portion l2 of the slot is of a size as to just receive the shank 3 of the retaining-bolt. The rear wall 13 of the slot 10 is provided with a laterally-projecting lug 14, arranged when the plate is in place to bear against the rear wall of the trace-slot 6, the lug zbeing of a length to project beyond the trace on the side neXt the swingletree, as shown in Fig. 2. By preference the lug 14 is rounded or convexed in transverse section to arrange for close engagement with the concaved edges 4 of the shank 3.

In securing the trace in place the head 5 of the bolt is inserted through the enlarged portion of the trace-slot and plate-slot, the trace being turned -until it is at right angles with the shank 3of the bolt, after which the trace is drawn forward until the narrowed portions of the trace and plate slots engage the shank. The head 5 and the enlargement of the slot are not necessary, however, since the purpose of the invention is as readily obtained by the omission of the head on the swingletree and securing my plate provided with a slot of a thickness corresponding to that of the ordinary swingletree now used.

Draft upon the traces will cause one edge of the shank 3 to bear against the lug 14 of the plate, whereby the trace is relieved of all wear and strain and its life materially increased and any danger of accident through breakage of-the parts avoided.

The reinforcing-plate may be of any thickness desired, though it is preferably so constructed as to adapt it for the particular use desired, the plates for light harness being of less thickness than those for heavy harness.

It will be noted that the lug 14 of the plate receives all the wear and strain incident to draft on the traces and that the walls of the slot and plate will prevent any wear upon the walls of the trace-slot.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is` A reinforcing-plate for trace-eyes comprisplane of the plate, whereby the trace-eye 'Wall is Jfree to yield independently of `the plateto permit the insertion of the sWingletree-hook.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature ing a plate of single thickness and designed to he secured on the outer side of the trace7 said plate being formed with a slot to register with the eye in the trace and having a pro- 5 jectirlig lug Cxtenkding frfoni the iear vvlal1 of in presence of tWo Witnesses.

the s ot, sai lu eing o reater engt t an the thickness ofgthe Jface aigid designed to bear JOHN TONNER BRESSLER' v against the rear Wall of the eye in the trace, 'l Witnesses:

c the Wall of the slot in the plate forward of 0. E. WARFIELD, ""'Io 'said lug being free of projection beyond the R. H. NESBIT. 

